Jackson volleyball team focused on the task at hand

Tuesday

Oct 29, 2013 at 11:59 PMOct 30, 2013 at 12:11 AM

Jackson volleyball coach Jeff Walck has been vigilant this season about making sure his Polar Bears are paying attention to the task at hand. Despite a 23-3 record that had them ranked fifth in the last Division I state coaches poll, Walck knew the state runners-up from a year ago couldn’t afford to take anything for granted.

David Harpster

Jackson volleyball coach Jeff Walck has been vigilant this season about making sure his Polar Bears are paying attention to the task at hand.

Despite a 23-3 record that had them ranked fifth in the last Division I state coaches poll, Walck knew the state runners-up from a year ago couldn’t afford to take anything for granted.

If the Polar Bears’ efforts at last week’s district tournament at Lake High School are any indication, they’ve definitely been listening to their coach.

Jackson won its fourth straight district title by defeating Louisville and GlenOak, winning each match in straight sets. In only one of those sets did the Polar Bears allow their opponents to get as many as 20 points.

The Bears enter tonight’s 6 p.m. regional semifinal at Hudson High School against Mayfield (11-15) just six more sets away from a repeat trip to the state tournament. Wadsworth and Hudson meet in the other semifinal at 7:30 tonight, with the winners set to play Saturday at 2 p.m. for the regional championship.

“We played well at districts. We played five really good sets and we played well in the sectional round, too,” Walck said during Tuesday’s final practice. “The focus was there and the work ethic has been there in practice. None of the coaches has had to get on them, raise our voice or scream or plead to get someone to work hard.

“The kids are actually beating us to the gym now, which is unusual. They’re already there doing things skill-wise before we even get there every day. They’re focused and they know they have to play hard on every point.”

While some may think the Polar Bears are old hands at this regional tournament stuff, Walck said that as the program’s stature has risen across the state, it’s also increased the pressure to perform. He should know, since he took Tallmadge to six straight Division II state tournaments prior to coming to Jackson five seasons ago.

“I know this is going to sound corny, but back then it was probably a little more fun and exasperating,” Walck said of the Bears’ first district title four falls ago. “We won that district championship, we achieved this great goal.

“Now the expectations are a little higher, which comes from me and people around the program. The expectations on the kids and the coaching staff are different now.”

Most of the Polar Bears have experienced those expectations first-hand this season. While several of Walck’s players were on last year’s team that lost to Cincinnati Ursuline in the state championship match, it’s fair to say many of them are playing more vital roles this season. Outside hitters Stephanie Spencer and Brooke Bailey went from supporting middle hitter Paige Hill, to primary offensive weapons this season, while sophomore Kelly Klimo stepped in for Kristin Cardwell at setter.

“Stephanie said earlier this season she didn’t really realize how much pressure there was on those girls last year until she came in this year and the expectations were put on her to perform on every play,” Walck said. “I thought that was a pretty good observation.

“Until you experience that, or until the coaching staff expects you to perform on every point, you don’t know what that’s like. You think you do, but you don’t. She and Brooke and the other girls who have stepped up this year have handled all that wonderfully.”

Reach David at 330-775-1129 or david.harpster@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @dharpsterINDE

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